Appeals Court: Felons Cannot Be Bondsmen

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that felons cannot serve as bondsmen -- despite an opinion to the contrary by the Tennessee attorney general, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. In a ruling issued last week, the appeals court affirmed a judge's decision to strip Phillip Cole Hatmaker of approval to write bonds. Hatmaker had been convicted of felony possession of more than 10 pounds of marijuana, but later had his citizenship rights and voting privileges restored.